Discomfort: Why must we suffer to grow?

Discomfort is something we all live with. A fact of life and one that we would rather live without. Yet, without it, none of us would be who we are today. As painful and annoying as it can be, discomfort is not our enemy. It has shaped us and refined us in good ways and bad, with regrets and gladness. But would you take it back? All those experiences that have made you who you are.

There are lessons in everything we have experienced, for better or worse. Mistakes that we must learn from and things that have taught us to survive with the hope of a better future. When we go through times of discomfort or experience suffering, we are tossed into the raging seas and must adapt or die. We either become stronger on the other side, give up, and become a shadow of our former selves or worse.

Pros and Cons of Discomfort

As with everything in this world, there are both positives and negatives. Balance is an enigma that is rarely achieved, and in a world where the negative overwhelmingly outweighs the positive, you’ll find a refreshing change. The pros of discomfort conquer the cons, as you will see below.

Pros:

A sign of growth.
A sign that things have improved.
A sign that things need to change.
The push we need to change things for the better.

Cons:

It can be painful.
It can be irritating or uncomfortable.
It can be scary.

All of these are nothing that can’t be endured, they will all pass with time.

Why should we seek discomfort?

From a young age, we are encouraged to leave our comfort zones. We are taught that it is the way to grow and learn, yet as we get older, we find excuses to stay comfortable to the point that we end up lying to ourselves, saying we’re content with the life we live when usually the truth is we’re just scared to take risks—afraid to push ourselves to try something that we haven’t done before because we won’t be good at it. Why is it that we don’t take our own advice?

We don’t take our own advice because we often talk ourselves out of it. There is so much information that we have persuaded ourselves that this piece of advice doesn’t apply to us when it most certainly does.

When I say we should seek discomfort, I mean that we should actively be leaving our comfort zones so we can continue to grow just as we did when we were kids and not become stagnant and complacent. I am not advising you to seek out situations where you will suffer because they will find you anyway; at least, that’s what the Bible tells us because, in John 16:33, it says, ‘You will have suffering in this world.’

But we do not suffer without reason. Philippians 1:29 says we have been appointed to suffer for Christ, and 2 Corinthians 1:5 tells us we suffer because Christ suffered – ‘for just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ comfort overflows.’ 2 Corinthians 1:4 reminds us that our God is one of comfort and that ‘He comforts us in all our afflictions.

By enduring these trials and afflictions, we will also be better able to comfort others in theirs (2 Corinthians 1:4). So, we do not suffer without hope or comfort.

Discomfort is the crucible God uses to shape us into the person He planned us to be.

How to move through discomfort

Discomfort, suffering, whatever challenge we are facing, we must endure it. So how can we do that?

Well, there are several things. The first is to focus on the positive because when we dwell on the negative, we tend to find that whatever trial we face is worse than it actually is. We should not just think positive thoughts but speak positive words. Proverbs 12:25 says, ‘Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.’

What we consume also has an effect, and I don’t mean food. The things we watch, the music we listen to, and what we read all impact our minds. When we face trials, we don’t need to consume material that will take us into a worse place mentally. We should be consuming motivating, inspiring, positive things at such times, things which will help us move forward, such as reading the Bible more frequently and listening to worship music. Such things will not only bring joy in the amid trials but help you endure them.

‘Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing’ James 1:2-4.

Another idea could be to try faking things are okay until they are. It’s all about perception, after all. I would suggest keeping a close eye on your posture because body language speaks volumes. Try keeping that back straight when you’re standing or sitting because it’s been proven that doing so positively impacts health and might help your faking become a reality.

Most importantly, during uncomfortable and challenging times, we should turn to God and talk to Him. Yes, reading scripture and hearing His voice is important, but taking time to come to Him with our troubles is just as important. We are not perfect, and our words will not be perfect, but the act matters. God knows we forget to mention things, which is why the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in our weakness (Romans 8:26).

God knows all things, He knows what we are going through and will help us through all things; all He wants is for us to come to Him and ask for help, for guidance and clarity. Such a price to pay is nothing compared to what He has already given us. God wants to comfort and provide us with peace, and He will (Isaiah 66:12-13).

References

Burkeman, O. (2015) Why don’t we take our own advice? Available at: Why don’t we take our own advice? | Health & wellbeing | The Guardian [Accessed 15 September 2023]
Lifespan Lifestyle Medicine Center. (2022) Posture and How It Affects Your Health. Available at: Posture and How It Affects Your Health | Lifespan [Accessed 16 September 2023]
New Life Christian Church. (2023) God Comforts Us. Available at: https://newlife.church/notes/godcomfortsus/ [Accessed 16 September 2023]